Velocity recorder



Oct. 7, 1952 J, BROWN v 2,613,125

VELOCITY RECORDER Filed Sept. 16, 1949 INVENTOR. flash-PH BROWN )97' ronNE Y Patented st. 7, 1.952

UNITED STATES PATENT I(9,IF`:F IICE,, 2,613,125' 7, I Y ,y

VELOCITY RECORDER Joseph Brown, Philadelphia, Pa. n v ApplicationSeptember 16, 1949, Serial No. 116,181

. ls'oiaims. (ci. sise-73) (Granted under the act or March s, 1883, as

yamended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This invention relates toimprovements in kinematic measuring devices, and more particularlypertains to improvements in velocity measuring and recording devices.

In developing and operating catapults for launching planes and otherdevices having apredetermined optimum linear or rotational velocitycharacterizing function of a component element, it is desirable toprovide a simple, efficient and accurate device that will measuredirectly and record the velocity of the element against distance andtime. This is accomplished in the subject device by means of a novelcombination that converts the velocity of vsuch element into centrifugalforce. spring, displaces an associated indicator, and a suitable scribecoupled tol that indicator plots that force against distance while arecord of elapsed time is plotted simultaneously. The velocity of themechanism is recorded by the device for every point of its travel, sothataccelera` tions can be determined facilely by measuring the slope ofthe velocity curve produced.

The kprimary object ofthe invention is to provide a device adapted tomeasure directly and to record the linear or rotational velocity of amachine element.

Another object is to provide a device adapted to convert the linear orrotational velocity of a device into centrifugal force and to providemeans to plot a record of that force against distance and time.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a velocity measuring and recordingdevice, showing a preferred embodiment of the invention;

` Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line Fig. 1; n

:Figy 3 is a plan view of a plot card showing a velocity curve and timeintervals recorded thereon; and f Fig. 4 is an exploded isometric viewof the somber-carrying mass and associated elements.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. j

Base plate II is provided with av central boss I3. Shaft I5 is carriedrotatably in bearing I1 in said boss. A plurality of bolts I9 proximatethe periphery of said base plate are adapted to secure said base plateto a ,suitable standard.

Such force, acting against a A Stationary sun gear 2I is carried onshaft I5 and is seated on boss I3, said gear 2I being secured to saidboss by screwsv 23. Spiders 2'5 are secured to shaft I5, extendingnormal to the axis of said shaft, and carrya stub shafts'21. Planetaryor spider gears 29 are mounted rotatably on 'said shafts 21,'in meshwith sun gear 2I.

Table 3 I is mounted rotatably on shaft I5, the hub 32 of said tablebeing seated on the shoulder formed by the reduced portion 34 of saidshaft and the lowerportion of said shaft'. Said table 3I is providedwith anintegral depending rim 33. Bull or rimgear '35 is secured to theinner nether portion ofrim 33, said rim gear 35 meshing with planetarygears 29 so'that gears 21, 29 and 35 provide an epicyclic gear traincoupling the shaft I5and the table 3|.

Calibrated card 31 is ajdsc'having a central non-circular slot 39 sothat spacerf'dI can'be mounted rotatably on shaftv I5 and can dependthrough slot 39 into a recess 43'in table 3| and thereby preventrotation of card 31 relative table 3i. Said card 31. is "marked withradial linesf45 denotnga scale of degrees (see Fig. 3) and is markedwith a, pluralityofj circles 41 concentric the axis of' rotation of thecard,A said circles 41 being Ycalibrated in units of velocity accordingto the'design characteristicsthe significant gear ratios--of the device.

` A conventional time` spark device l` discharges at uniform intervalsof timey across the card .31,

` so that a spark impression 5'! is made upon said card. f Preferably,such impression is made proximate the rim of the card, as shown in Figs.1 andl 3, said rim extending beyond the periphery of the table'3l.

Disc 53 is secured-on the iiuted portion 55 of shaft I5, said,disc thusbeing seated on and rotatable relative spacerI.r A radial T-slot4 51 cutin the nether face of said disc carries the scriber assembly hereinaftero described.

The scriber assembly includes a rectangular plate '59 having. ears lilLextending from the corners of said plate, so that said plate and saidears define a T-shape engageable slidably in T- slot 51. Scriber 63ismounted on and `depends from the nether face of said plate 53. Leafspring 65 is secured to the upper face of plate 59, between ears 6I, bymeans of rivets 61, sadleaf spring having a tongue' portion 89 extendingbeyond said plate for use in the manner hereinafter described. Oppositelongitudinal edges 'II of said leaf spring-taper inwardly, as shown inFig. 4, so that balls 13 bear against the channel walls of ,the T-slot51 under'the force of springs 15, which are secured to the ears BI atthe inner and narrower end of said leaf spring, when the scriberassembly is at rest. Expansion spring 11 couples the inner end of thescriber assembly and the inner end of said T-slot 51.

Drum reel I9 is secured removably on shaft l5 by wing nut 8 I, the wallof said drum reel encompassing and housing the elements above described.Cable 83 is wound upon said drum reel.

In operation card 3l is seated on table 3|, said card being securedagainst, rotation relative-saidscriber assembly is held byfspring 11near the inner end of T-slot 51. Drum reel 19 isthen secured on shaft lby Wingnut 8|, and the cable Y 83 wound on said drum reel isthen securedto the device to be tested.

When cable 83 is pulled by theV device to be l tested, time-.sparkingdevice` 49 is actuated by suitabIe trip mechanism (not shown?, and therotationv ef, the dnwnmeel. by. the.. cableI is transmitted through theshaft l5 and the.A epicyclic gear ktrain to theta'ble 3 1'. As thelspeed ofA rota,- tion of .dise 5.3whiehis coupledbtshait'l. tesaid drumreetlincreases, theseriber assembly moves radiallyin ,TV-slotI 5l, thecentrifugal force of rotationof the scriber assembly mass overcoming theretarding forceof spring TL With. such movement, plotline8,5,ismarkedtupon card 3J; When the device has reached peakacceleration, .restorationcf the scriber assembly mass to itsrestposition isprevented by balls,l T3 and springs .15, said balls" bearing.againstthe channel walls of` the li-slot under the, forcent said springsand the tapered edges of 'leaf spring b5..v "By, depressing tensile,portion. ttl..v theecriber assemblrealn be returned to its originalposition. i Itis thus apparent that. allot, the intelligence reguiredisplotted on card '3.1; Theradial distance of apoint 011 plot line '85,`from thek rest positionr indicates..velocity1 while the time spark 5l atthe radius Yincluding that ypointindicates .the pered of.. tinereeniredto attainI- that velocity. By, Suitable ee'libratengefgthe radii.tandcircles thas showninFa avelecltv canbe reas directly andtime can bedetermineplraelely. i

Distance 0f treirel; ismeesulredfaelely by. de.- terminetien effthenumberef,desreesefindeeter card rotation, eeen. degree,etsueliretatienrepref senting thesamerdistane of travel, That is, ifrotation represents@ feetfofjtravel', `20'rotaf tion represents 10y feet`and 30 vrotation, indicates -fee t of travel. Velocity at anydistancejfrom the-start of travel can therefore be determined readily.

- Obviously many mod icationsdand variations of thepresent invention arepossible inthe light of theabove teachings. It is therefore'tojbeunderstood' that within the SLLOpeA of the appended claims the inventionmaybe p1'ac`t,.,`ed otherwise than pas specifically described.-

The invention describedherein may be manufaetiiresend need; by, erv fer.the Get/ernment ef the. United: States` ef; America, Iery lsmrernmentalpurposes WithoutLthe payment. Otani' royalties thereon or therefor- Iclaim:

l. Velocity-recordingmeebanismeemnrsins e v basemernber, ,asbestearr1edretatab1yin-a 'bearingin saidjmembena dru m reel secured tol saidshaft. adise carried.; by saidshaftamass Carried by and slidableradially relative saiddisc, means t0 constrain.` radial. movement ofsaid massl recording means on said mass, a table mounted 4 rotatably onsaid shaft and adapted to carry a calibrated card to be scored by saidrecording means, and a speed-reducing linkage coupling said shaft andsaid table.

2. Velocity-recording mechanism comprising a base membena shaft carriedrotatably in a bearing in said member, aj drum reel secured to saidshaft, a disc carried by saidY shaft, a mass carried by and slidableradially relative said disc, means lto constrain radial movement of saidmass,

recording means on said mass, a table mounted rotatably on said shaftand adapted to carry a calibrated card to be scored by said recordingmeans, a', speedfreducing linkage coupling said shaft, and said table,and means to record time intervalscn said card.

3. Velocity-recording mechanism comprising a basefmcmbena shaft carriedrotatably in a bearing in said member, a drum reel secured to saidshaft, adisccarried by, saidshaft, a, mass carried by. and,slidable.radiallyreletve,Said' disc. -means te constrain.A radial.'moyement ef; saidn mess., releasable means to preventyreciprocaljmovement of said mass, recording means o n said' mass, a table mountedurotatably on saidI shaft and adapted to earrya callbretedeerdtogbeseeredyby saidrecordinsmeans, and.aspeedredncns1ink ese couplingsaidsheitandlsaid table...

4. Velocity-recording.r mechanismA comprising'a base member, ashaftcarried rotatably,'inl a. bearins said member., a, drum reel secured, tesaid Shaft, e -dlse 'earriedbr seildlshaft. amass carried byand"slidableradiallyrelative saiddisc. means to constrai'nradial,movement-of said mass, .releasy able means tol preyent, reciprocalmovement of said mass, recording ineanson,said` mass, a table mountedrOtatabIXonsaid shaft and adaptedjto carry la calibrated-r 'card` to` bescored by said recording meansfa 'speedvreducing .linkage coupling saidlshaftand said,table,` andmeans. to record-time intervals:onsaidrcard.

5. Velocity-*recording mechanism ,comprisingA .a base plate,` a,k shaftgcarried'rotatablyfin bearings in said p lateLa drum,re el securedremovably to said shaft, vaI disc having a., radial- T-.slot carried bysaid shaft interior said drum reeLamass carriedsldebly insaid; slet,Spring, meansito constrairi'radial moyement of saidfmasrecording meendensedimassg-dependine;fwmeeld elet e table mounted; rotatably en.- seid;shaft below said disc and carrying a calibrated cardajdaptedto beseeredby ysaid recordinsmeans, enden. eniexelie gear.,4 train; coupling:saidashefft and seid table 6.. Velocity-.meerdinsemechanism-comprising abasev plate, a. shaft, carriedlrotatebln inf. bearings in saidnletesandrumireel; securediremovablv. to

said shaft, a disc havin'a radiali-slotncarried byfsaidshaftinterierrsaidenum reel. :armate cerried: slidably in` said s1Qt,smi-ns'. means te een-v strain radial movement-of: mass recordingl meanson said mass,- depending from said slot, a table mounted rotatably onsaidl shaft below` said4 d is, and, carrying aycalibratedncard adaptedtobescored-by said recording means, an epicyclic gear train couplingsaid-shaft and said table, and-meansl torecord time interva1s on saidcard.

7j Velocity-recprdingl mechanismcomprisng a base plate, ashaftcarriedrbtatamy infbearings in said plate, adrumreelseenredrexnoyebly. te said shaft, av ,disjhaving a, radial T'slot carried by saidshaft interiorjsaidjdrum reel, a mass carried slidably inA said'-slot, spring 'means to constrain radial;-'nfiovemntof` said mass,releasable vmeans tfprevent reciprocal jmovement ofsaid mass, recordingmeans depending from said slot, a table mounted rotatably on said shaftbelow said disc and carrying a calibrated card adapted to be scored bysaid recording means, and an epicyclic gear train coupling said shaftand said table.

8. Velocity-recording mechanism comprising a base plate, a shaft carriedrotatably in bearings in said plate, a drum reel secured removably tosaid shaft, a disc having a radial T-slot carried by said shaft interiorsaid drum reel, a mass carried slidably in said slot, spring means toconstrain radial movement of said mass, releasable means to preventreciprocal movement of said mass, recording means depending from saidslot, a table mounted rotatably on said shaft below said disc andcarrying a calibrated card adapted to be scored by said recording means,an epicyclic gear train coupling said shaft and said table, and means torecord time intervals on said card.

9. Velocity-recording mechanism comprising a base member, a shaftcarried rotatably in a bearing in said member, a drum reel secured tosaid shaft, a cable wound on said drum reel, a disc carried by saidshaft, a mass. carried by and slidable radially relative said disc,means to constrain radial movement of said mass, recording means on saidmass, a table mounted rotatably on said shaft and adapted to carry acalibrated card to be scored by said recording means, and aspeed-reducing linkage coupling said shaft and said table.

10. In velocity-recording mechanism having an element including a radialslot. a scriber assembly comprising a plate, means to carry said plateslidably in such slot, meansto constrain radially outward movement ofsaid assembly in such slot, a leaf spring secured to a face of saidplate, said leaf spring having opposite edges taperedinwardly in thedirection of said constraining means, balls each adapted to bear againstsaid plate, said tapered edges and the walls of such slot, and means onsaid plate to radially outward movement of said assembly in l such slot,a leaf spring secured to a face of said plate, said leaf spring havingopposite edges tapered inwardly in the direction of said constrainingmeans, balls each adapted to bear against said plate, said tapered edgesand the walls of such slot, and springs secured to said plate andadapted to urge said balls toward such bearing relation.

l2. Velocity-recording mechanism comprising a base member, a shaftcarried rotatably in a bearing in said member, a drum reel secured tosaid shaft, a disc carried by said shaft, a mass carried by and slidableradially relative said disc, recording means on said mass, and a tablerotated by said shaft and adapted to carry a calibrated card to bescored by said recording means.

13. Velocity-recording mechanism comprising a base member, a shaftcarried rotatably in a bearing in said member, a drum reel secured tosaid shaft, a disc carried by said shaft, a mass carried by and slidableradially relative said disc, means to constrain radial movement of saidmass, recording means on said mass, and a table rotated by said shaftand adapted tocarry a calibrated card to be scored by said recordingmeans.

' JOSEPH BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,925,325 Keller Sept. 5, 19331,980,786 Cool Nov. 13, 1934 2.409,537 Bright Oct. 15. 1946

